The Auswine Forum

...first post in yonkers... 2001 Arakoon Doyen Shiraz 16.5% alcohol After removing the cork, I was greeted by the smell alcohol. I recall many years ago that someone posted they could smell aviation fuel. At the time I recall hoping that this was just random but I'm off to open my last remaining bot...

Mike Hawkins wrote:
As for bringing Aussie wine back, the 2.25 litre rule applies - no exceptions. I tried debating at customs and lost !!

Mike

Recently, I brought 6 bottles of pinot from Otago back to Sydney.

I declared them and the Customs guy let me through for being honest.

Hi guys, Thanks very much for replying. As per Elvis and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), only one litre of alcohol is permitted which started me thinking, who makes 1L bottles of wine However, as Glen pointed out, the customs fee per litre is pretty small. Thanks for the tips guys. Cheers, V...

Hi guys,

Am going to the USA and would like to take some special bottles of wine.

Does anyone know the allowable limit please and/or how strict US Customs is about enforcing the limitations?

Has anyone tried taking wine to the USA recently please?

Thanks very much,
Vickie

thanks for the reviews Adair.

I'm waaaaaaaaaay late on the Mike Press scene and have just asked Gav if there's any left.

fingers crossed.....

Hi Gavin,

I like the new colours but I prefer the old wider layout of each post.

Cheers,
Vickie

How about 2776?

Vickie

...this is excellent

Hi Brian,

Fingers crossed...2404

Hi Andrew,

I voted French because I want...or should that read need ...more Champagne in my cellar.

So many boutique Champagne Houses out there but so little funds and cellaring space

Cheers,
Vickie

Hamburger night in our household = we need a red wine for the beef mince! Hewitson L'Oizeau Shiraz 2001 (McLaren Vale) Perfect for beef burgers - medium bodied wine with just the right amount of spice. Goes well with Fountain BBQ sauce, juicey ripe tomatoes, cucumber, iceberg lettuce and beetroot. I...

Good to hear from you even if you are drinking beer - its been ages since you have piped up.

Hi Ric,

I've been lurking and hardly drinking lately

Some "good value" to be found at Balnaves right now though - cheapest I've ever seen

Cheers,
Vickie

sorry, no wine this week only beer. Pure Blonde - a low carb beer aimed at "health conscious individuals" and diabetics...or is that diabetics first and then "health conscious individuals?" Taste? Usually I'm rather sceptical of any beers that aren't "real beers" - does this make me a beer bigot ???...

Hi Brucer,

In 1998, there were 2 St Peters - a standard and a reserve.

Cheers,
Vickie

Hi Chris,

re: Pack & Send - (Brian's suggestion)

the dozen box costs $26.00 and the single bottle box costs $8.50.

Cheers,
Vickie

Hi Vickie, Regarding your comments on 1998, it's not really rational to worry about a whole vintage based on a tasting of one wine, so I wouldn't be overly concerned about the rest of your collection of 98's. as far As the No1 goes in particular, many of the people who tried it shortly after releas...

Saltram #1 Barossa Shiraz 1998 Dark chocolate and quite peppery. Muted nose. Could taste the heat of the alcohol. I really wanted to love this wine and I'm hoping it was just a "bad bottle." Am now concerned about my other 98 reds I've got 1 bottle left and will open it before the end of winter - I...

Hi Graeme, Apologies for the late reply Although you already bought the DVD today, I got mine from JB HiFi in Victoria Galleries, Sydney for $31.95...yep, you got it cheaper at Borders! Sorry, I've not seen the "John Cleese Guide to Wine Appreciation." However, any idea on the cost please? Hmmm, I m...

Hi Mike, Thanks for replying - to be honest, at the moment, I prefer the general books such as "Red and White" and "Sniff, Swirl & Slurp" by Max Allen because they are fun and not as "dry." Having said that, I'm looking to invest in a wine reference book of sorts - I think I'd better head down t...

Hi AJ,

Like many other posters, I tend to buy in lots of 3 for variety.

However, if its one that I've tried before and loved, I'll buy 6.

Rarely do I buy cases (ie 12).

Cheers,
Vickie

Hi there, Just purchased Jancis Robinson's Wine Course DVD. As per the front cover, its " a 5 hour guide to the world of wine on 2 discs " " ...all about wine, grapes, regions and other wine themes " Does anyone have any other wine DVD or wine book recommendations please? Many thanks, Vickie

'morning everyone, I'm not very good at this but here goes... Shaw & Smith Merlot 1999 - corked my last bottle - the other 5 were fabulous though {Hey Gavin - this was one of my first purchases from you. Hasn't my palate changed!} Warrabilla Reserve Shiraz 2002 Inky black with a huge "drink me" ...

Hi Christo, I was lucky enough to taste the St Peters 02 at WineAus and thought it was delicious. This week I took the plunge and bought it. Like many others, I've been anticipating its release and frowned at the hype and low yields which I knew would be factored into the release price re: value or ...

thanks Adair and Ric

I guess I'd better wash the dust out of my decanter then

Hi Adair,

Many thanks for the TN

Could I please ask if you decanted this wine and if so, how long please?

Cheers,
Vickie

...and Voyager Estate Cab Merlot

the 1998 is one of my faves

I believe the 2001 is about to be released too phew, its been a long wait

I tried this wine recently at WineAus - it was one of those "under the bench" bottles and boy, did it deliver I've always been a supporter of O'Leary Walker (whites + reds) and since tasting the Reserve Shiraz 2002, I've been debating if its worth the $90-$100 per bottle too. In the meantime, I've p...

Mitchelton Print Shiraz 1998

Purchased based on Campbell's recommendation in WFM, May 2002.

...and what a fantastic recommendation and purchase

woohoo - 5 bottles left and drinking magnificently.

concentrated with a nose that screams "drink me"

Cheers,
Vickie

Derek,

Try Gavin here at Auswine

I purchased my 6 pack of 375mL a couple of months ago.

Cheers,
Vickie

Hi David, Many thanks for your reply. Not suprised Lindsay poured this with the Paringa - he owns Paringa and makes the wines for Port Phillip. Lindsay's a top bloke. At WineOz, he offered me the Paringa Reserve Pinot 2000 from under the bench and chatted to me for ages despite me knowing very littl...

Hi all, I'm making my first trip to NZ (Queenstown) at the end of this week. On my non-ski days, I've planned to visit a few CDs and try some Central Otago wines. I'm rubbing my hands together, not because I'm cold, but because I'm sure I'll find some gems to bring home. If you have any advice about...